An edit

What to Wear to Court

Conservative shirts, suits, trousers, and closed shoes for a courthouse appearance.

Deciding what to wear to court calls for plain, conservative clothes in dark colours like navy, grey and black, with closed shoes. Dress neatly and respectfully, with clean collars and tidy tailoring. Wool trousers, pressed cotton shirts and plain dark knits look orderly and keep attention on the case.

Rules differ from court to court, so check before you go. One federal court in Connecticut, for example, tells jurors that business casual is fine but that shorts, T shirts, blue jeans and sweatpants are not, and it allows no hats in the courtroom. UJOH, a Japanese label started by Mitsuru Nishizaki after years as a pattern maker, makes shirts and trousers. Undercover is the label Jun Takahashi started in the early nineties.

WDLT117 in Toronto brings tailored jackets, trousers and shirts, including Undercover's. Utopia and Due West in Toronto add shirts, knitwear and trousers; save the jeans and T shirts on this page for another day.

Chrome Hearts Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants, front view, at Utopia on within

Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants

Chrome Hearts Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black at Utopia on within

Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black

NZ$7,629Lightly used

Acne Studios Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green, front view, at Utopia on within

Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green

NZ$381Lightly used

Balenciaga Black Distressed Oversized Ebay T-Shirt, front view, at Utopia on within

Black Distressed Oversized Ebay T-Shirt

Rick Owens FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black at Utopia on within

FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black

NZ$636Pre-owned

Miami Exclusive Cemetery Vertical Logo Sweatpants Black

Saint Mxxxxxx Saint Michael Obliterate T-Shirt Black, front view, at Utopia on within

Saint Michael Obliterate T-Shirt Black

Skater Graffiti Logo L/S T-Shirt Black

Chrome Hearts Fleur Knee Straight Leg Jeans, front view, at Utopia on within

Fleur Knee Straight Leg Jeans

Thom Browne Grey Engineered 4-Bar Pants at Utopia on within

Grey Engineered 4-Bar Pants

NZ$381Pre-owned

Maison Margiela Painter Jeans Grey, front view, at Utopia on within

Maison Margiela

Painter Jeans Grey

Gallery Dept. Chino Flare Pants Black, front view, at Utopia on within

Chino Flare Pants Black

Kapital Dense Jersey Baseball Shirt, front view, at Utopia on within

Dense Jersey Baseball Shirt

Saint Mxxxxxx Saint Michael True Queen T-Shirt Grey, front view, at Utopia on within

Saint Michael True Queen T-Shirt Grey

Denim Tears x Levi's Cotton Wreath Jean Black at Utopia on within

x Levi's Cotton Wreath Jean Black

NZ$381Pre-owned

Aime Leon Dore x New Balance Sweatpants Sand at Utopia on within

x New Balance Sweatpants Sand

Avavav Theo Semi-distressed Double Layer T-shirt Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Theo Semi-distressed Double Layer T-shirt Black

Song for the Mute SFTM x Birkenstock "The Gardener" Crochet Flower Tee Green, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Song for the Mute

SFTM x Birkenstock "The Gardener" Crochet Flower Tee Green

Fear of God Essentials Fleece Essential Sweatpant (FW24) Black at Utopia on within

Essentials Fleece Essential Sweatpant (FW24) Black

Aime Leon Dore x New Balance Chenille Sweatpants Grey, front view, at Utopia on within

x New Balance Chenille Sweatpants Grey

Rhude Dakar Convoy Tee in Vintage Black, back view, at Due West on within

Dakar Convoy Tee

Song for the Mute SFTM x Birkenstock "The Rebel" Distressed Tee Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Song for the Mute

SFTM x Birkenstock "The Rebel" Distressed Tee Black

Saint Mxxxxxx Saint Michael 2PAC Tee White at Utopia on within

Saint Michael 2PAC Tee White

Rhude Vintage White Moonlight T-Shirt at Utopia on within

Vintage White Moonlight T-Shirt

Looks in this edit

All black for a winter night. Flat lay of a black Undercover jacket, black trousers, a black UJOH blouse, black Guidi boots and a black bag.

All black for a winter night

After dark, before midnight. Flat lay of a black Masnada jacket, black trousers, a black Issey Miyake turtleneck and black Guidi derbies.

After dark, before midnight

A first dinner. Flat lay of a charcoal MM6 cardigan, ivory Undercover trousers, black Guidi derbies and a silver Tom Wood ring.

Chrome Hearts, collar to loafer. Flat lay of a black Chrome Hearts jacket, black jeans, navy loafers, black glasses and a silver bracelet.

Chrome Hearts, collar to loafer

Outside the shows in Paris. Flat lay of a grey Denim Tears sweatshirt, grey track pants, blue Jordan sneakers and a grey Goyard pouch.

Outside the shows in Paris

All black with a silver buckle. Flat lay of a black Masnada jacket, black trousers, a black Issey Miyake sweater and black Balenciaga sneakers.

All black with a silver buckle

Common questions

What colours work best when dressing for court?

Dark navy, charcoal and black are safe choices because they look plain and formal. Leave bright colours and loud prints for another day.

How can you dress appropriately for court without a full suit?

Pair tailored trousers with a pressed collared shirt and a fine knit. Add closed leather shoes, and check your court's own rules before you go.

Which independent designers offer pieces suitable for court?

UJOH, a Japanese label started by a former pattern maker, makes shirts and trousers. Undercover brings jackets, trousers and shirts here.